The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-08-21

not Nnly wore her OF ss, puI spoke IN
her v. ice.
tested Fh'z, ardently.
"Thep te Il me why you let that sill.
ly Mrs. Desn' ond monopolize you as
she does? Come, confide in me are
You in love with herY
I'm love with her" he rejoined,
hastily. ooh, no surely, dearest
Clementina, You should know better
than that!"
Mrs. Desmond clenched her hands
"Ohl the little hypocrite," she
breathed.
Then you" (here the unknown
paused and played coquettishly with
her fau) shave some feeling of-of
friendship former" she finished
softly.
II have the deepest. the most sin
cere affection for you. Until tonight
| failed to realize how much /"
And am sure l shall always
have a sisters affection for you" in
terrupted the lady sentimentally.
"A sisters Affection My dearest
Clementiua, that will not satisfy me.
| want the very first place in your
heart. I want"
The listeners behind the serinCa
gasped. How would this dreadful
affair eud2 Here was Fitz, the he.
loved of both, proposing-sctually
proposing-to an eidolon: a shadow,
an unknown somebody wearing the
shape of one Of them, speaking in her
tone, spipr her manner 70 nicely.
Dear Clementipa," FitZ went on,
eagerly, II love you most sincere.
ly, / admire you above all other
women"
Are you auite-quite sure 1T
that2" whispered the unknown. us
there no one whom you have secret
liking for2"
Fiiz hesitated for a moment. His
conscience was not evidently quite
clear. The lady, however, seemed
in no way vexed. but LAUGHED softly
as she tapped him on the arm with
her fan.
There won't put too many
questions. II you tell me that, to-
night at least reign supreme. |
ask nothing more"
Fitz took her hand aud pressed it
fervently TO his lips.
Dearest Clemenlina," he whis-
pered ,tenderly; and now ! beg you
will let me see the face | have been
longing to look at all the evening"
Here the widows peeped eagerly
through the screen of leaves, long
ing aud yet fearing the calculation OF
, the mystery.
"0ne minute" said the unknown,
putting her hand to the mask
! wonder il you will unsay You words
il"
"Unsay my words neverl" assev-
Grated Fig, passlOnately.
mot even il you have proposed "a
to the wrong woman" said clear
mocking voice-r-a voice that made
the two eavesdroppers thrill with
, mingled terror aud rage. The mask
of the unknown fell 10 the ground
: as she stood up and faced her as
5 founded admirer.
4 MARY"
0 "Yes, Mr.. Brandon-Mary," she
: echoed, dropping him a mock modest
u curtsey.
0 Nov, how did you get herc2" h,
:. stammered.
Q "Ah; quite simply | drove dow
I in a bansom, laughed Mary, gayly
Q Come, the play is out, so / will ex
= plain the plot, as il seems TO puEzl
n you. / wanted 10 see IL Mary Grey
s gwen all the advantages ladies' in 80
II ciety' enjoy, could not hold her owl
with the best So | made an exac
d COPY Of Mrs. SOmers's dress did yo
not see there was second queen her
9 tonight2"
"Yes; but she wore no rose in he
r dress, and she seemed so dull and in
r sipid alter you that | concluded"
80 you made the rose"
L "The badge Of grace and vii" in
IT terrupted Fitz calamity. "But Mary
tell me your real motive for playin
@ this comedy Of errors"
u 81 fear IL was revenge upon both q
a YOU" said Mary rather seriously, an
n yet laughing. "Mr. Brandon. 20
have behaved very badly to me. 70
" have courted me, won my affection,
aud all the while you have toyed an
l. trined with the two widows as IL n
J. such being as myself existed. lor
n can | believe ia your sincerity aite
all your flirting, after all that ha
D, passed tonight2 Do you think
4 nothing TO break a woman's heart
ID she added, somewhat TREMENDOUSLY.
For a moment Fiiz was dumb
u founded but something in her loo
aud tone reused all the maulnes
u latent in him. Admiration took III
u place OF astoDishment, aud his NJ
* tive good nature made him forg,
the yexatious trick that had bee
ID played on him. His better natul
Il also asserted itself. lie felt that a
-, though his heart had always bee
III Mays, his hirtations with the wi,
~ ows had been mere pastime, thoug
IA tonight, in the excitement of n
or moment, he had gone further than
he ever intended.
q; ut is true | proposed 10 you"
I said at length, but you refused me
X, How could | do otherwise" r
'ss turned Mary, when | saw you pa
ing AZ much attention 20 others
ny You did to me2'
Again Fiiz was silent a moment.
Gu you have taught me a lcsso
" Mary" he cried at length, taking b
~ hand, "but | am going TO hold YOU
on your promise all the same. II y,
~ spoke in jest | was in earnest, and
~ don't withdraw a word Of what
~ said. am thankful that have n
"" gone too far-that I can still honor
-, bly, ask you 10 be my wife. My hes
ou is yours, and yours only, Mary; "
-. you have met"
Ls Are you in earnest2" asked Ma
oo TN most solemn earnest" he
'sy piled.
, ~, "And the widows1" whisper
'' Mary.
~